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Indian football is on the rise, and this season of the Indian Super League could potentially be a game-changing one for the Indian football scene. The newly-appointed coach of the national team, Igor Stimac, has entrusted young and inexperienced, yet technically fantastic players. Stimac has handed out debuts to numerous young players and the team has started to get results. These players and others who haven't been called up to the national team will be looking to secure their position in the team by their exploits in the ISL.
The ISL has evolved from a glamorous, brief tournament to a longer and testing league. More and more players are emerging from this league, and it is headed in the right path of becoming a catalyst for the growth of Indian football. The ISL clubs are responsible for bringing out the talent of players like Sahal Abdul Samad, Rahul Bheke and Raynier Fernandes to the nation. The football fans will again hope to find more such players in this season.
In this article, we will have a look at some of these colts who can become stars this season.
#1. Amarjit Singh Kiyam
The first player on the list has to be Amarjit Singh Kiyam. The boy who led the Blue Colts in the FIFA U17 World Cup two years back has shot into limelight in the past few months. After he was unexpectedly called up for the National Team camp by coach Stimac, his inclusion in the main squad surprised many.
On top of that, he started in the first match of India under Stimac against Curaçao. He was the only player to start in every game under Stimac until the World Cup Qualifier match against Oman when he was injured. The Manipuri midfielder was roped in by Jamshedpur FC last season but was loaned to Indian Arrows. He is expected to start for them this season.
#2. Anwar Ali
The second player on the list is Anwar Ali. He was also a part of the U17 World Cup squad and played as a centre-back. The Minerva Academy product shot into prominence after he scored a stunning free-kick against Argentina in the 2018 under-20 Cotif Cup to lead India to a 2-1 victory. He was roped in by Mumbai City FC the same year but was loaned to Indian Arrows for the season.
But this season, he is expected to start as the centre-back along with Mato Grgic to solidify the Islanders' defense. Despite being called up for the Indian Senior team camp twice, he has not been picked for the main squad until now. Hopefully, he can break into the senior team after better performances in the coming season.
#3. Dheeraj Singh
Perhaps the best find of the under 17 FIFA World Cup held in India in 2017, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem has shot into limelight due to his heroics in the World Cup.
His brave saves against top footballing nations in the Cup made him an instant superstar, and he also earned a trial at Motherwell FC. Due to some issues, Dheeraj couldn't sign for them, and instead, signed for Kerala Blasters, starting in most matches.
Although he wasn't too brilliant for them, he impressed many people and he was signed by ATK this season. It will be interesting to see how he fares for the Kolkata side. Fans look at him as a prospect for the national team, and we hope he lives up to these expectations and impresses one and all again this season.
#4. Narender Gahlot
Narender Gahlot is one of the most promising stars in this country right now. He became a sensation when he scored for India against Syria in the Hero Intercontinental Cup this year and also became the second youngest Indian player to do so.
He played for Indian Arrows last year, and he would like to replicate the same form in his current club, Jamshedpur FC. For the national team, Gahlot has proved his worth as a reliable centre-back, and he would hope to start for Jamshedpur FC in their matches.
#5. Rahul KP
Rahul Kannoly Praveen, the local boy, was signed by Kerala Blasters before this season. He was also a part of the Indian under-17 team, which played the World Cup and later played for Indian Arrows. His goal against Mumbai City FC in the 2018 Super Cup earned him well-deserved recognition and he continued his rich form for the Arrows in the 2018-19 season as well. He scored three goals in 20 matches last season, and the winger would hope for a fantastic season for the Blasters this season.
